--- title: "Biology" url: "https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/biology" school: "St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form" --- # Biology ## Qualification: A-Level **Awarding Body:** AQA **Length of Course:** 2 years ### Completed in Year 12 - **Biological molecules** - Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, DNA, ATP, water, inorganic ion - **Cells** - Cell structure, eukaryotes and prokaryotes, microscopy, mitosis, cell transport, immunity - **Organisms exchange substances with their environment** - Surface area to volume ratio, gas exchange, Digestion & absorption, Mass transport in animals and plants - **Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms** - DNA, genes, & chromosomes, Protein synthesis, mutation, meiosis, genetic diversity and adaptation, species & taxonomy, Investigating biodiversity in communities ### Started in Year 12 and Completed in Year 13 - **Energy transfers in and between organisms** - Photosynthesis, Respiration, energy and ecosystems, nutrient cycles - **Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments** - Survival & response, receptors, control of heart rate, nerve impulses, synaptic transmission, muscle contraction, homeostasis, blood glucose control, osmoregulation - **Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems** - Inheritance, populations, evolution & speciation, populations in ecosystems. - **The control of gene expression** - Control of gene expression & cancer, mutation, non-coding DNA, regulation of transcription & translation, genome projects, recombinant DNA technology, genetic diagnosis, genetic fingerprinting ### Assessment #### Paper 1 - Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills - 2 hours long, 91 marks - 76 marks a mixture of short and long answer questions, 15 marks extended response questions - 35% of A-Level #### Paper 2 - Any content from topics 1-4, including relevant practical skills - 2 hours long, 91 marks - 76 marks a mixture of short and long answer questions, 15 marks comprehension question - 35% of A-Level **Paper 3** - All practical skills and all content topics 1-8 - 2 hours long, 78 marks - 40 marks on practical, 38 marks structured questions including practical techniques, 15 marks critical analysis of given experimental data, 25 marks one essay from a choice of two titles - 30% of A-Level ### Mathematical Requirements Overall at least 10% of the marks in assessments for Biology will require the use of mathematical skills to at least the standard of higher tier GCSE maths. These skills include: arithmetic and numerical computation, handling data, statistical tests, graphs and geometry and trigonometry. ### Practical Skills Assessment Assessment of practical skills is a compulsory requirement of the course of study for A-Level Biology. It will appear on all students’ certificates as a separately reported result, alongside their overall exam grade. A minimum of twelve prescribed practical activities will be carried out for A-Level Biology and 15% of marks on exam papers will relate to the practical skills carried out throughout the. ### Comparison with GCSE The course builds on knowledge, understanding and process skills inherent in GCSE. The qualification is suitable for students who have an interest in Biology and for those students who want to use Biology to support other qualifications or progress into further studies. ### The Aims of the Course - To develop knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Biology - To develop an awareness of advances in technology related to Biology - To recognise the value of Biology in society - To be able to make sense of news items relating to Biological issues - To understand how scientists interact with each other, and with society at large, in making use of new discoveries ### Relevance to Further Study Biology as a science subject can be combined with a wide variety of subjects including Chemistry, Psychology, Physics and Mathematics. It is accepted as a qualification for Medicine, Veterinary medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing and other medical careers. It is also accepted as a qualification for Biomedical sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Applied Science, Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany, Forensic Science, Psychology, Ecology, Environmental science, Microbiology, Palaeontology, Genetics, Cell and Molecular Biology, Anatomy, Biophysics, Marine Biology, Neurobiology, Physiology, Zoology and many others. ### Entry Requirements **Desirable:** Grade 7 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 7-7 in Combined Science and Grade 7 at GCSE Mathematics. **Essential:** Grade 6 in GCSE Biology and one other GCSE science and Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics or Grade 6-6 in Combined Science and Grade 6 at GCSE Mathematics. ### Our Curriculum - [A-Level Courses](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses) - [Art & Design](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/art-and-design) - [Biology](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/biology) - [Business Studies](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/business-studies) - [Chemistry](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/chemistry) - [Computer Science](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/computer-science) - [Economics](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/economics) - [English Language](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/english-language) - [English Literature](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/english-literature) - [French](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/french) - [Further Mathematics](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/further-mathematics) - [Geography](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/geography) - [History](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/history) - [Mathematics](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/mathematics) - [Media Studies](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/media-studies) - [Music](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/music) - [Philosophy & Theology](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/philosophy-and-theology) - [Photography](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/photography) - [Physics](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/physics) - [Politics](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/politics) - [Psychology](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/a-level-courses/psychology) - [Sociology](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/sociology) - [Spanish](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/spanish) - [Textiles Design](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/textiles-design) - [Three Dimensional Design](https://www.aaasixthform.com/a-level-courses/three-dimensional-design) - [BTEC & Other Level 3 Courses](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/btec-and-other-level-3-courses) - [Careers](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/careers) - [Course Entry Requirements](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/course-entry-requirements) - [Enrichment](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/enrichment) - [GCSE](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/gcse) - [Religious Education](https://www.aaasixthform.com/our-curriculum/religious-education) ![St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form](https://files.schudio.com/st-aidans-and-st-anthonys-catholic-sixth-form/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02(2).png) ### St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form Thornhill Terrace Sunderland SR2 7JN +44 (0) 191 5658904 ### Quick Links - [Term Dates](https://www.aaasixthform.com/student-informations/term-dates) - [How to Apply](https://www.aaasixthform.com/apply/sixth-form-enrolment) - [Girls' School](https://st-anthonys-academy.com/) - [Boys' School](https://staidanscatholicacademy.co.uk/) ### Useful Links - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy/) - [FOI Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/freedom-of-information) - [Website Terms ](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms/) [![Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust](https://files.schudio.com/st-aidans-and-st-anthonys-catholic-sixth-form/images/logo/Pilgrims-of-Hope-2025-logo-(3).png)](https://bccet.org.uk) © Copyright 2025–2026 St. Aidans & St Anthony's 6th Form School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.aaasixthform.com/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)